Lift Up, History of Olympic Weightlifting History of Olympic Weightlifting The Lift Up project is brought to you by chidlovski.com . Olympic Legends @ Lift Up Home  The Sport  Competition Guess what... The aim in weightlifting is quiet simple: to lift as much weight as possible. There are two types* of lift involved in modern olympic weightlifting competition: Clean-and-Jerk Each contestant is allowed three attempts at each type of lift. Contestants are required to successfully attempt both the snatch and the clean-and-jerk lifts. Lifters who fail in all three attempts at the snatch are allowed to compete in the clean and jerk, but receive no overall placing. Only the heaviest successful snatch and clean-and-jerk are used when tabulating final score (total). The weight lifted must increase by a minimum of 2.5 kg for each attempt. Competitors decide at which weight to begin and at which subsequent 2.5 kg intervals to continue. When attempting to break a national or world record, the weight increase may be as little as .5 kg (although only the nearest multiple of 2.5 kg may be counted towards the total).

Each lifter has a 60-second time limit in which to approach the platform and begin the lift. If the lifter is making consecutive attempts, two minutes are allowed between lifts. OLYMPIC LIFT TYPES Press * * discontinued in 1972 Three referees judge the weightlifting, each in control of two lights, one white and the other red. Each referee activates a light after each lift: white for a successful lift and red for a failure. In each case, two white lights is enough for a lift to be counted as valid. The activation of two like signals will set off a horn, or "down" signal, telling the lifter to lower the barbell. The "down" signal may be activated prior to the conclusion of a lift, rendering the lift invalid if two referees observe an error. At the Olympics, the weightlifter lifting the highest aggregate total from the two lifts wins**. When a tie occurs, the man with the lower bodyweight is declared the winner. If a lifter completes a successful lift within 10 kilograms of the world record. he is allowed a fourth attempt, which does not count as part of the competition but can count as a world record.

Notes: * The third type of lift, the press was discontinued following the 1972 Olympics in Munich. ** Medals are sometimes given to the top three lifters in each individual lift category and always for the overall total (best snatch plus best clean-and-jerk). Final placing is based on a lifter's total. At the Olympic Games, medals are awarded only for total. For Olympic Weight Lifters, It’s More Than Snatch, Grunt, Drop - The New York Times The New York Times Olympics |Where the Heavy Lifting Often Occurs in the Mind Search Continue reading the main story Photo What goes through weight lifters’ heads as they try to keep the barbell aloft? For Yuliya Kalina of Ukraine, it’s “Hold!” and then “Stay.” Credit Jed Jacobsohn for The New York Times LONDON — It may be the cruelest moment of the Summer Olympics, the check-your-watch-and-you-missed-it span of time that weight lifters are required to hold the barbell above their heads. Athletes do not have a successful lift until they prove to the judges that they have control of the weight. It sure looks like an ordeal.

Competitors puff, wheeze, hold their breath and occasionally scream. Limbs tremble, veins bulge. You know the way a face contorts from excessive gravitational forces? There is a lot of that. What is invisible are the thoughts that race through the athletes’ heads during this brief and excruciating purgatory. Does it seem brief? For that matter, is it excruciating? “When the weight is above my head, I think about my mother,” said Iulia Paratova of Ukraine in a postevent interview Sunday. “I don’t know why that happens. But I always think about my mother.” Continue reading the main story Other athletes pray. Some focus on technique. Many say their minds go absolutely blank. “I don’t hear a thing,” said Aleksandra J. Klejnowska-Krzywanska of Poland. “I don’t hear the crowd. I can’t even hear my coach. But as soon as I’m done and the weight hits the floor, there is an eruption of noise.

Then I hear it all.” Advertisement Continue reading the main story The interior life of a weight lifter is just one element of intrigue at this surprisingly engrossing event, which, initially at least, does not sound all that engrossing. The sport is so elemental that it is one of the few at the Olympics that Paleolithic man would grasp instantly. Weight heavy. Lift. Drop. Bye. The rules are actually a little more involved. There are two different skills in both the men’s and women’s competitions. First is the snatch, in which the bar is lifted overhead in one continuous action. Next is the clean and jerk, in which the bar is first hoisted to the top of the chest, then pressed overhead. Athletes get three attempts in both skills. Their heaviest snatch and heaviest clean and jerk are combined, and the person with the biggest number — measured in kilograms, of course — wins. If there is a tie, it goes to the lifter who weighs less. This may sound complicated, but organizers have given the event a 21st-century makeover and easy-to-follow framework, inspired by reality TV.

When an athlete approaches the barbell, background music fills the hall here at the Excel Centre, with tension-filled sounds that seem stolen from boardroom scenes in “The Apprentice.” It is that familiar heartbeat ba-boom over a low synthesized rumble. Photo Rim Jong-sim of North Korea competing in the 69-kilogram category Wednesday. She won the gold. Credit Grigory Dukor/Reuters This is a showdown, the music says. Don’t touch that dial. There are elements of “Survivor” as well, including a camera-ready host who appears on a series of large video screens and warms up the crowd before the action begins and during a 10-minute intermission. “Well, ladies and gentlemen, let’s hear it for a very exciting snatch,” he said, with innocent sincerity, during halftime Sunday. The athletes in this version of “Survivor” are their own tribes, and each faces the same foe: ring after ring of weights. The competitors approach the foe in their own way. Sergio Alvarez Boulet of Cuba puts his hands around the bar and screams at it a couple of times.

Yuderqui Contreras of the Dominican Republic grabs the bar and gently nods her head over it, as though she were double-checking the terms of a deal she and the weights negotiated a few days earlier. The drama starts before the athlete even gets on stage. Each has one minute to attempt a lift, and after 30 seconds, a horn blasts. It is loud and long enough that if you heard it while driving it would come across as “Move along, pal.” Advertisement Continue reading the main story Some attempts are over nanoseconds after they begin, as though the athlete got the barbell an inch off the ground and thought, Oh, you’ve got to be kidding. If competitors fail three times in either skill, their Olympics are over. An unseen narrator with a refined British accent helpfully details the stakes, sometimes by providing biographical information; “Before she became a weight lifter, she was a circus performer.” Often there are exhortations to the crowd to chip in with cheers; “O.K., ladies and gentlemen, let’s wind her up so she can make this.” Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to.

Sign Up The applause and supportive screams for an athlete on the verge of elimination can reach jet-engine volumes. That is followed, in the buildup to the actual attempt, by dead silence, which is pierced occasionally by less than helpful advice. “Lift it!” one man screamed Sunday. But onlookers can only do so much. More than a few athletes end up flat on their backs, or hunched over on their knees, or skulking away in defeat. Sorry, Ruslan Makarov of Uzbekistan, Khalil El Maoui of Tunisia and Bezkat Osmonaliev of Kazakhstan: the barbell has spoken. We need you to pack your bags and leave the competition. Photo Umurbek Bazarbayev of Turkmenistan attempts a lift at the London Games. Credit Jed Jacobsohn for The New York Times After the event, the athletes are corralled into an area where members of the news media can conduct interviews. The weight lifting competitions, which go on for days, start with the lightest athletes. Up close, men in the 56-kilogram category — about 123 pounds — look like bionic jockeys. They regard the barbell, many say, as a lethal enemy.

“I think of it as a snake,” said José Lino Montes Gongora of Mexico. “I feel like I need to keep it over my head or it will bite me. That’s why I take a big breath before I get near it. I’m puffing up with air to keep this snake away.” Yuliya Kalina of Ukraine, the bronze medalist in the women’s 58-kilogram category, makes no secret of what she is thinking as she awaits the light and buzzer that says her lift will count. She screams two words. “ ‘Hold!’ and then ‘Stay!’ ” she explained through an interpreter Monday. If it holds and stays, she walks away from the barbell and gives it a withering look that is understandable in any language: “Is that all you’ve got?” Advertisement Jackelina Heredia Cuesta of Colombia is the only competitor who smiles when she has the weight where she wants it. And the smile is not subtle. She is beaming. “I can’t cry,” she said with a shrug, “so I smile.” Is there also part of her trying to psyche out her opponents, to let them know that she is not merely in control, she is actually having a good time?

“Sí,” she said with a laugh. The gold medalist Om Yun Chol of North Korea came by the media room after setting a world record Monday in the men’s 56-kilogram competition by clearing 168 kilograms, about 370 pounds, in the clean and jerk. That put him in the tiny club of athletes who have lifted three times their own body weight. He was mobbed by members of the Asian media and then was hurried by British organizers into a more formal news conference. Before he was whisked away, he was asked what goes through his mind when he locks elbows triumphantly under the weights. Om thought for a moment, then put down the victory bouquet of flowers he was holding, so he could demonstrate. He shot both hands over his head and grinned. “I think to myself,” said Om, who weighs about 122 pounds and stands just under 5 feet tall, “I have lifted the world!” A version of this article appears in print on August 2, 2012, on Page B11 of the New York edition with the headline: Hold That Thought.

Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe Olympic Weightlifting Guide: Catalyst Athletics - Olympic Weightlifting Education, Publisher, Gym, Weightlifting Team Contact Weight Lifting, Weightlifting or Olympic Weightlifting? Officially, the sport is called weightlifting. However, at least in the United States, weightlifting is an obscure sport and activity, so the term weightlifting is rarely adequate to distinguish the sport of Olympic-style weightlifting from powerlifting or bodybuilding, or even from weight lifting in the gym for fitness and strength. This is why the term Olympic Weightlifting is so often used rather than simply weightlifting. What Is Olympic Weightlifting? The sport of weightlifting consists of two lifts: the snatch and the clean & jerk . In the snatch, the weightlifter lifts the barbell from the floor to overhead in a single movement. In the clean & jerk, the weightlifter lifts the barbell first from the floor to the shoulders (the clean) and then from the shoulders to overhead (the jerk). In a competition, each weightlifter has three attempts in the snatch and three attempts in the clean & jerk. The weight of the best of each lifts is added to create the weightlifter's total, and the best total wins.

Olympic Weightlifting for Sports The Olympic lifts, the snatch, clean and jerk, as well as variations such as the power snatch , power clean , power jerk , hang snatch , hang clean and more are often used by athletes to develop strength and explosiveness to improve performance in their sports. How Do I Learn the Olympic Lifts? The best way to learn the snatch and the clean & jerk is to work with a qualified weightlifting coach. Unfortunately, there are few weightlifting coaches and few weightlifting gyms in the US, so this is not always an option for new weightlifters. You can find coaches and weightlifting clubs on the USA Weightlifting website or view our affiliate gyms or certified coaches . For new weightlifters who can't find local weightlifting coaches, there are weightlifting books and videos available that can help you learn the snatch and clean & jerk, as well as supplemental lifts like the back squat, front squat, press, push press and more. There is also a lot of free information on weightlifting and learning the Olympic lifts on the internet. This website has a lot of free weightlifting articles and videos . Where Do I Train for Olympic Weightlifting?

Finding a gym that allows Olympic weightlifting and has the appropriate equipment, such as weightlifting platforms, proper barbells and bumper plates, can be nearly as difficult as finding a qualified weightlifting coach. You can find weightlifting clubs on the USA Weightlifting website or view our affiliate gyms or certified coaches . Where Can I Find Olympic Weightlifting Training Programs and Workouts? Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches contains information on designing weightlifting training programs as well as many sample programs. Catalyst Athletics also posts a daily weightlifting workout and weightlifting programs on the website. How Do I Compete in Olympic Weightlifting? In order to compete in Olympic weightlifting in the US, you need to be a current member of USA Weightlifting . You do not need to have a coach or be a member of a weightlifting team or club. You can find weightlifting competition schedules for your area both on the USA Weightlifting website and through your LWC . It's a good idea to talk to a weightlifting coach or weightlifter to learn how weightlifting competition works. You can also get all the necessary weightlifting competition information in Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches .

How Do I Start an Olympic Weightlifting Team? AKC Kettlebell Guidelines Overall Improvement of Health As "Time Under the Bell" increases ones understanding of the techniques increase which leads to improved performance therby increasing the benifits listed above. Training is progressive in weight, time, reps per minute (rpm) Through a combination of adding to one category or another there is a progression of getting stronger and developing more Work Capacity. Work Capacity being the ability to work longer, harder, and stronger with less diminished capacity. Either increase the Kettlebell used such as 16kg to a 24kg, increase the reps per minute such as going from 6rpm to 7 or more rpm or increase the time period of performance such as adding another minute to length of time going from 6 minutes to 7 minutes. Remember that this type of training is for overall body condition and not for Body Building. Weight This is obvious though the question becomes is when to add weight. There is also the concept of using a heavier weight every so often but with less reps. This helps to prepare for the added weight when ready to move up. Usually what ever weight you are training at you would start practicing with a heavier weight performing a swing.

When ready to move up to that heavier weight move the swing practice to a heavier weight. As for the practice you should not move to a heavier weight until you have become comfortable at the 10 minute mark with that weight and a RPM of 8 to 12. When you move up to a higher weight the RPM comes down to around 6 RPM and you start working up to a higher RPM with that weight. Ideally you should be able to perform for the full 10 minutes. RPM The diagrams of a clock represent the times of performing a technique in a minute cycle. Each arrow being when to perform the technique depending on the rpm desired. The purpose is to achieve the goal of a 10 minute workout in a controlled manner. If one goes too fast in the beginning of a set you are too tired to finish. By being disciplined you have a better chance of performing for the desired time. You would start slow at say 6 rpm per minute and once you achieve a 10 minute cycle you would then go to a 7 rpm and after that is achieved you would then go to 8rpm etc.

The anchoring of the weight in the rack while waiting for the time to pass is itself an exercise A time clock and RPM helper. We like to use this combo so we don't have to thing about time. This combination is not allowed in competition Click here to download and print RPM helpers Time of performance or progression Best place to start with is a one arm long cycle and at 6 RPM as a base line. Do one minute per side with whatever weight you feel is right. Lighter is better to start with. You will stay with this weight till you reach the 10 minute mark. Add one minute (30 seconds per side) till you reach the 10 minute mark. Be patient as this could take a while. When you are comfortable with the 6 RPM for 10 minutes increase the RPM by one and drop the length of time to say 6 minutes ( 3 minutes per side) and again add one minute till 10 is reached. Repeat the procedure of adding 1 rpm and dropping the time till you work back up to 10 minutes. For more advanced work you can continue to add minutes to the 10 till you reach the 20 minute mark and a RPM of 12.

Once you are comfortable with the one arm techniques you start training the two arm style using the same kind of progression. The Bell makes the difference The Fedorenko Kettlebell is a professionally designed Kettlebell. It is always the same size and dimension no matter what the weight. This consistency in the bell gives to constancy of technique which is so important for the high reps. As you move up in weight you don’t have to readjust for the different size bell. It always will lay the same on your arm in the rack and across the heel of the hand. The handle size ( NAKF rules state: "the handle of the kettlebell can be no less than 35 mm (1.38 inches) in diameter or 110 mm in circumference (4.33 inches)" 4 3/4" across; 2 3/8" top to bottom (inside measurement) allows for the proper position in the hand and where the bell lays on the hip of the hand and the cradle of the arm. The handle is smoother there-by being less abrasive to the hand.

The shape of the bell and it’s center of gravity allow you in the clean to keep the elbow into the iliac crest and the bell it self in a cradle between the biceps and forearm which all together combine to protect the deltoids, elbows and shoulders while doing many repetitions. A lot of slingers will use chalk on the handle especially if doing a few hundred snatches as snatch's can tear the hand up. The size of an AKC Pro Grade bell is always the same no matter the weight Techniques of AKC Style just starting this section please be patient Six Points of the Rack Position Kettlebell handle sits against the hip of the palm (heel of hand, pinky side) The handle is at such an angle that there is no space between the wrist and the handle. The first three fingers are tucked and it is only the index and thumb that are need to hold the Kettlebell.

Wrist is relaxed and back Fingers, except for index, tucked behind bell handle (as if making okay sign) Arm forms a V to cradle the ball of the bell Elbow is on the hip (iliac crest), round the back Knees are straight and hips are forward Rules of Sport Kettlebell from two different organizations According to American Kettlebell Club, May 2008 Which follows the World Kettlebell Club JERK The Kettlebell Jerk is defined as Lifting two Kettlebell's overhead from the "Rack" position with use of the legs via a "double-dip" action. The Lifter must first "Clean" the Kettlebells from the floor to the "Rack" one time, but it is legal to adjust the grip before beginning the first repetition by Cleaning the Kettlebells to the shoulders, and then back to the Rack for the start of the performance. A repetition is counted when the arms are first locked out overhead, parallel to the head, followed by the legs being locked out, with a final fixation of the Kettlebells. The Kettlebells must be returned to the rack position before commencing the next repetition.

The Lifter may not rest the Kettlebells on top of their shoulders during the performance, however the lifter may adjust their grip on the Kettlebells by rolling the Kettlebells off the shoulders in one continuous movement to the rack position SNATCH The Kettlebell Snatch is defined as lifting one Kettlebell overhead from the "Swing" action in one continuous movement. A repetition is counted when the legs are locked out, the working arm is locked out and parallel to the head, with a final fixation of the Kettlebell. The Kettlebell must be returned to the Swing position in one continuous movement, and although the Lifter may Swing the Kettlebell one or multiple times before Snatching, they may not rest with the Kettlebell in a hanging position. The Lifter may not touch the Kettlebell to their body or touch the body with the non-working arm. LONGCYCLE The Kettlebell LongCycle is defined as lifting two Kettlebells in two different phases, the "Clean", followed by a "Jerk", to comprise one exercise cycle. In the first phase, the Lifter must Clean the Kettlebells between the legs directly to the Rack position, not to the shoulders.

In the second phase, the lifter must Jerk the Kettlebells overhead from that same rack position. A repetition is counted when the arms are first locked out overhead, parallel to the head, followed by the legs being locked out, with a final fixation of the Kettlebells. The Kettlebells are then returned to the rack position, then swung between the legs for another Clean to the rack position and another Jerk. The Lifter may not rest the Kettlebells on top of their shoulders or rest with the Kettlebells in a hanging position during the performance, however the lifter may adjust their grip on the Kettlebells by rolling the Kettlebells off the shoulders in one continuous movement to the rack position. ONE ARM JERK The Kettlebell One Arm Jerk is defined as Lifting one Kettlebells overhead from the "Rack" position with use of the legs via a "double-dip" action.

The Lifter must first "Clean" the Kettlebell from the floor to the "Rack" one time, but it is legal to adjust the grip before beginning the first repetition by Cleaning the Kettlebell to the shoulder, and then back to the Rack for the start of the performance. A repetition is counted when the arm is first locked out overhead, parallel to the head, followed by the legs being locked out, with a final fixation of the Kettlebell. The Kettlebell must be returned to the rack position before commencing the next repetition. The Lifter may not rest the Kettlebell on top of their shoulder during the performance, however the lifter may adjust their grip on the Kettlebell by rolling the Kettlebells off the shoulder in one continuous movement to the rack position. ONE ARM LONGCYCLE The Kettlebell One Arm Long Cycle is defined as lifting one Kettlebell in two different phases, the "One Arm Clean", followed by a " One Arm Jerk", to comprise one exercise cycle. In the first phase, the Lifter must Clean the Kettlebell between the legs directly to the Rack position, not to the shoulder.

In the second phase, the lifter must Jerk the Kettlebell overhead from that same rack position. A repetition is counted when the arm is first locked out overhead, parallel to the head, followed by the legs being locked out, with a final fixation of the Kettlebell. The Kettlebell is then returned to the rack position, then swung between the legs in preparation for another Clean to the rack position and then another Jerk. The Lifter may not rest the Kettlebell on top of their shoulder or rest with the Kettlebell in a hanging position during the performance, however the lifter may adjust their grip on the Kettlebell by rolling the Kettlebell off the shoulders in one continuous movement to the rack position CHAIR PRESS The Chair Press is defined as lifting two Kettlebells overhead from the rack position without the use of the legs, while sitting in a chair/bench without a back support. The Lifter must first clean the Kettlebells to the shoulders while standing, then sit in the chair/bench, and then return the kettlebells to the rack for the start of the first repetition.

A repetition is counted when the arms are first locked out overhead, parallel to the head, with a final fixation of the Kettlebells. The Kettlebells must be returned to the rack position before commencing the next repetition. The Lifter may not rest the Kettlebells on top of their shoulders during the performance, however the lifter may adjust their grip on the Kettlebells by rolling the Kettlebells off the shoulders in one continuous movement to the rack position. ONE ARM CHAIR PRESS The One Arm Chair Press is defined as lifting one Kettlebell overhead from the rack position without the use of the legs, while sitting in a chair/bench without a back support. The Lifter must first clean the Kettlebell to the shoulder while standing, then sit in the chair/bench, and then return the kettlebell to the rack for the start of the first repetition. A repetition is counted when the arm is first locked out overhead, parallel to the head, with a final fixation of the Kettlebell. The Kettlebell must be returned to the rack position before commencing the next repetition.

The Lifter may not rest the Kettlebell on top of their shoulder during the performance, however the lifter may adjust their grip on the Kettlebell by rolling the Kettlebell off the shoulder in one continuous movement to the rack position. TERMS & DEFINITIONS "Rack" Position- The rack position is universal for all exercises. It is defined as the position when the arm(s) are bent and the upper part of the arm is making contact with the torso while holding the Kettlebell(s). "Swing" Action- The Swing action is defined as a back and forth motion of the arm with the shoulder acting as the hinge. "Clean"- The Clean is defined as a Swing action of the Kettlebell, catching it in the "Rack" position. "Double-Dip" Action- The double-dip is defined as a quick two part movement that begins with a short range squat (first dip), followed by a push of the Kettlebell(s) out of the rack, a quick reversal away from the Kettlebell (second dip) as it launches upwards from the push, the arm locks out, and then legs are straightened.

The Jerk from the chest is performed from the initial position that specifies that the upper arms are pressed against the body and the legs are straight. During the fixation of the kettlebells overhead the arms, the torso, and the legs must be straight. The "Stop" command is issued if the kettlebell(s) are set on the shoulder joint(s) or the platform, or if the lifter allows the kettlebell(s) to fall from the racked position - re cleaning the kettlebell(s) is not permitted(short cycle). A repetition is not counted under the following conditions: • The jerk is performed as an interrupted movement, i.e. with a press-out or a 2nd Jerk; • The kettlebells are jerked from the chest alternately; • The position of the arms changed during the first dip before the jerk; • *There is no fixation in the starting position or the lockout. *The long cycle "clean-and-jerk" with lowering of the kettlebells to hang after each repetition follows the same rules.

PROFESSIONAL DIVISION 50+50 Achieving Rank with the World Kettlebell Club The World Kettlebell Club is the only Worldwide organization granting Rank in Kettlebell Lifting for all Country Clubs and their Members. The Rank Tables represent the current total repetitions required to qualify for official Rank in each weight class. In order to achieve the Rank a Lifter must prove this level in these ways: Level VII-IV represents the early stages of development and uses the lighter weight Kettlebell. As one progresses from Level VII through Level IV, they can achieve the Rank by submitting video to the Head Coach of the Country Club they are Members of. The video will, in effect, be judged, and the appropriate Rank given by Email notification. Level III-MS represents higher levels of achievement using the heavier weight Kettlebell. As one progresses from Level III through I, and on to Candidate of Master of Sport (CMS) and Master of Sport (MS), they can achieve the Rank by physically appearing at a scheduled event of the World Kettlebell Club or any of its Country Clubs and performing this on video and in the presence of the Head Coach.

After submitting documentation, the World Kettlebell Club will provide the Lifter with an official Certificate of Rank. Level MSWC represents the highest achievement of Rank in Kettlebell Lifting; Master of Sport World Class. To achieve such a high Rank, a Lifter must accomplish the required number of repetitions at the annual World Kettlebell Lifting Championships for all to witness. After submitting documentation, the World Kettlebell Club will provide the Lifter with the highest official Certificate of Rank. *Note: Each achievement of Rank must be performed under the Lifting Rules of the World Kettlebell Club. According to the International GS Federation rules. The Rules of Girevoy Sport Competition I. Competition Classification and Events Competition Classification 1. Girevoy sport competitions are classified into: a) Individual; c) Individual and team combined. In an individual competition only the personal results of a competitor are factored in; they determine his place in the meet. In team and individual/team meets the results of each competitor, as well as that of his team, are factored in to determine the placement of individual competitors and teams. 2. The type of each competition is defined in the given meet’s regulations.

Competition Events There are two types of events in competitions with 12, 16, 24, and 32kg kettlebells: • The jerk of two kettlebells from the chest with two arms and the snatch of a kettlebell with one and then the other arm; • The jerk of two kettlebells from the chest with two arms with lowering of the kettlebells to a hang and a clean after each lift (the long cycle C&J). In men’s division two lift competition first the jerk is performed; the snatch is performed second. In women’s division two lift competition the snatch is performed first; jerks are performed second. The meet must be organized to allow at a rest period of at least 30 minutes between the two exercises. (jerks and snatches). As long as the minimum standard listed above is observed, the exact duration of the rest period is to be determined by the head referee. Each weight class must compete within one day. II.

Competitors The following groups of athletes are allowed to compete: • youths (14-18 years of age) • open(older than 18 years of age) • masters (over 40 years of age) A competitor’s age is determined by his/her year of birth (as of Jan 1 of the current year rather than his actual birthday) . The competitors are divided into the following weight classes: Youths (in kg) Men, juniors, masters (in kg) Each competitor may only compete in one weight class in any given meet. The Weigh-in Procedure 1. The weigh-in begins two hours before the start of the competition and lasts an hour. 2. A dedicated room is provided for the weigh-in. The referees and one official representative from each team are allowed to be present. 3. The weigh-in of the competitors in any given weight class is conducted by the referees who are about to referee that particular class. 4. Each competitor is weighed in once. A competitor who did not make his weigh class during the first weigh-in is allowed another weigh-in. Naked weigh-ins are not mandatory, but no allowances will be given for clothing. 5.

During the mandate commission the order in which the competitors will be lifting is determined by a draw. The Rights and Responsibilities of a Competitor 1. The competitor must be familiar with the competition rules and the regulations of the given meet. 2. The competitor may address the referees’ commission only through his team representative, the captain, or the referee-with-the-competitors. 3. The competitor must observe strict discipline, be respectful to other competitors, spectators, and referees. A competitor who does not show up for the rules briefing is removed from the competition. 4. The competitor is forbidden from using any devices that ease lifting of the kettlebell(s). 5. The competitor has the right to prepare the kettlebells before his attempt. It is done in a specially designated space visible to the referees. 6. The competitor has the right to endorse a commercial product. He or his team’s representative needs permission from the host organization and the referees. The competitor shall wear shorts and a T-shirt or a lifter’s singlet and athletic shoes. Briefs must be worn underneath. Weightlifting belts no wider than 10cm(4inches) and wraps no longer than 1.5m are allowed.

The wraps may be applied to an area no wider than 10cm on the wrists and 25cm on the knees. Wrist and knee braces are allowed. Only magnesia and/or chalk are allowed in kettlebell preparation. Belts worn by competitors may not be cushioned, padded, or wrapped to provide extra support to the lifter. Team Captains and Representatives 1. Each organization participating in an individual/team or team competition must have a representative. 2. The representative appointed by the team leader is responsible for the members’ discipline and showing up at the competition. 3. The representative is present at the weigh-in of his team, at the drawing of the lot order, and the deliberations of the referees provided the representatives are allowed to these deliberations. 4. During the competition the representatives must remain in a specially designated for them area or among the competitors. 5. If a team does not have a representative the team’s captain takes over the duties. 6. The representative (captain) has the right to address issues and protests related only to his team’s members to the referees’ body. III.

Equipment The weight of the kettlebells may not deviate by more than 0.5 KG (+or--) from the specified weight and the handle of the kettlebell can be no less than 35 mm (1.38 inches) in diameter or 110 mm in circumference (4.33 inches). The meet director has the final say as to which bells can be used as well as determining a method for which lifter uses which of the available bells. Competitions are held on a platform (flat area). Meet director(s) shall provide adequate flooring protection as well as a safe, stable, level lifting surface. 1. The referees’ body is staffed by the organization conducting the given competition. 2. The referees’ body consists of the chief referee and the referee-fixators (one per platform). 3. A girevoy sport referee must be very familiar with these rules and know how to use them in a competition. He must be objective in his decisions, serve as an example of discipline and organization; he must be familiar with the regulations for a given meet. 4. The organization conducting the competition will provide a meet commandant to take care of the competition logistics. The Chief Referee and his Deputies 1.

The chief referee manages the work of the referees’ body. He is responsible for the following to the organization hosting the meet: good organization, discipline, and safety of the competition, providing equal conditions to all competitors, strict adherence to the existing rules, objective judging, scoring, and tallying of the results. 2. The head referee must: • Have a meeting with the members of the referees’ body and a seminar with the representatives regarding the rules of the competition and the appropriate hardware; • Together with the jury, determine the tasks of the referees’ body and the referees; • Manage the competition and solve any political issues; • Oversee the referees during the meet and when determining the winners; • Rule on any petitions and protests. • Provide a report and the required documentation to the organization conducting the competition within five days; • Schedule and conduct a meeting of the referees’ body in the course of the competition. 3. The head referee has the right to: • Change the schedule of the competition should the need arise; • Disallow the competitors whose technical preparation, dress code, or equipment does not meet the requirements specified in the rules or the regulations for the given meet. 4. The head referee’s deputy follows the directions of the head referee.

In case of the latter’s absence, the former performs the latter’s responsibilities. Note: The chief referee has no right to change the established competition procedure. The Chief Secretary of the Meet 1. The chief secretary performs the following duties: • Prepares the necessary technical documentation and assures that it is proper; • Makes protocols of the meetings of the referees’ body and files the directions and decisions of the head referee; • With the head referee’s permission passes on information about the competition to the referee-announcer, team representatives, and the media; • Processes all the competition paperwork; • Presents the head referee with the materials necessary for the referee’s report; • Keeps track and records the decisions on protests. The Platform Referee The platform referee performs the following duties: • Conducts the weigh-in of the competitors of the weight class he is responsible for judging; • Assures the proper appearance and dress code of each competitor; • Loudly and clearly announces the number of legally performed repetitions; • Announces technically incorrect lifts with “No count”; • Loudly announces the final result of each competitor in each lift. Note. At international competitions and national championships each platform gets appointed two referees; one is the senior and he keeps the score.

His assistant counts the repetitions and makes the protocol. The final result is determined by a joint decision of both referees. The Secretary The secretary performs the following duties: • Fills out the competitors’ cards at the weigh-in (the weigh-in protocol) and makes a protocol of the competition for the given weight class on the platform; • Calls competitors to the platform and gives a heads up to the competitors whose turn is coming up. The Referee-Announcer The referee-announcer performs the following duties: • Announces the decisions of the jury; • Announces the results of the competition to the competitors and the spectators. The referee-with-the-competitors performs the following duties: • Makes a roll call of the competitors, checks their dress code, and presents the results of the inspection to the head secretary; • Lines up the competitors and introduces them in the order of their draw; • Notifies the competitors that it is their time to enter the platform in a timely fashion; • Acts as an intermediary between the competitors and the referees’ body; • Observes the preparation of the kettlebells.

The Technical Inspector The technical inspector performs the following duties: • Weighs the kettlebells together with the chief referee’s deputy and makes a protocol of their correspondence to the competition rules; • Is in charge of the technical condition of the kettlebells and equipment. The Meet Commandant (Director) The meet commandant is responsible for timely preparation of the equipment (platforms, kettlebells, scales, etc.), places of competition, places for the competitors, spectators, referees, and the media. He is responsible for the space layout. He provides the technical means, banners, logos, etc. for the competitors’ presentation and takes orders from the chief referee and the representative of the host organization. NOTE: if necessary (due to manpower limitations), the responsibilities of the positions of chief referee, chief secretary, secretary, announcer, referee with competitors, and technical inspector will be fulfilled by the meet director(s) ALL COMPETITORS MUST SIGN LIABILTY WAIVERS AND RELEASE FORMS PROVIDED BY MEET DIRECTOR(S) V. The Rules of the Lifts’ Performance General Provisions 1. 2 min before his attempt the competitor is called to the platform.

A ten second countdown is given –10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 –and is followed by the “Start” command. 2. The competitor is allowed 10 min per lift. The referee-secretary announces every minute. After 9 min he announces 30 sec, 50s etc, and each of the last five seconds. 3. The “Stop” command is issued after 10min. The repetitions performed afterwards are not counted; the competitor must terminate the attempt. 4. The referee on the platform announces every legally performed repetition. 5. If the repetition is not technically acceptable, the referee on the platform gives the “No count” command and continues counting the legally performed repetitions. 6. A competitor is forbidden to talk during his attempt. The Jerk The jerk from the chest is performed from the initial position that specifies that the upper arms are pressed against the body and the legs are straight. During the fixation of the kettlebells overhead the arms, the torso, and the legs must be straight.

The “Stop” command is issued if the kettlebell(s) are set on the shoulder joint(s) or the platform, or if the lifter allows the kettlebell(s) to fall from the racked position – re cleaning the kettlebell(s) is not permitted(short cycle). A repetition is not counted under the following conditions: • The jerk is performed as an interrupted movement, i.e. with a press-out or a second jerk; • The kettlebells are jerked from the chest alternately; • The position of the arms changed during the first dip before the jerk; • There is no fixation in the starting position or the lockout. The long cycle clean-and-jerk with lowering of the kettlebells to hang after each repetition follows the same rules. The Snatch The lift is performed in one movement. The competitor must lift the kettlebell with one uninterrupted movement and pause with it overhead with his arm straight. The arm, the legs, and the torso must be straight during the fixation. Following the fixation the competitor must lower the kettlebell for the next repetition without allowing it to come in contact with his torso.

The "Stop" command is issued under the following conditions: • The kettlebell is set on the shoulder* • The kettlebell is set on the platform. The lift is not counted if: • The lift is finished with a press-out; • There is a lack of fixation overhead; the free arm or some other part of body touches the platform, the kettlebell, the working arm, the legs, or the torso. *The kettlebell MAY be lowered to the shoulder before switching hands; when switching the kettlebell it is permissible to grip the handle with both hands during the exchange. VI. Determining the Winners The winner in each weight class is determined by the highest total in both lifts. In the men’s division the snatch the score is determined by adding the number of reps performed with each arm and dividing by two. Example: 40 right + 38 left =78, 78/2=39. In the women’s division the snatch score is determined by adding the totals reps performed with each arm. Example 35 right + 35 left =70.

If several athletes have the same total, the advantage goes to the following: • The competitor who had the lighter weight at the weigh-in; • The competitor who lifted earlier as determined by the draw; • The competitor who has the lighter weight following the competition. The representative of the team of the competitor in question may protest a decision of the referee of the platform; it must be given to the jury before the next competitor enters the platform. The competition is stopped for the duration. A competitor who received zero points in the jerk is not allowed to snatch. In a team competition the winner is determined by the highest number of points by the participating competitors. The points are calculated according to the rules specified in the meet’s regulations (according to the M. V. Starodubtsev’s table, based on the places in the competition, the total of all lifts, etc.). History of Weightlifting Olympics 2016 History of Weightlifting Olympics 2016 Pinterest Weightlifting is one sport that has ancient roots. The very first time it featured in Modern Olympic Games was back in 1896 in Athens. Even today, the Olympic weightlifting event is the ultimate test of sheer strength and brute force.

Weightlifting dates back to the time of the Egyptian and Greek civilization. Back then, it was seen as a measure of strength and power. It was only in the 19th century that weightlifting developed as an international sport. In modern Olympics, weightlifting (aka Olympic-style weightlifting) is an athletic discipline in which athletes must attempt a max-weight single barbell lift with weight plates. The two main lifts included in the competition are the ‘clean and jerk’ and the snatch. Weightlifters have a total of three attempts and the combined total of the two heaviest lifts is then used to determine the final result for different weight categories. The division that the athletes will compete in is determined strictly by their body mass. There are a total of 8 weight divisions for men while women have 7 weight divisions. 105 kg and over (231 lb+) For each of the above weight divisions, lifters have to compete for the clean and jerk and the snatch. The competitor who chooses to begin with the lowest weight traditionally goes first and the weight is increased gradually from there on. If the competitor fails at lifting the weight, they must make another attempt. Alternatively, they can go for a heavier weight.

The barbell is loaded incrementally and progresses to heavier lifts throughout the course of the competition. Prizes are given to the athlete who lifts the heaviest weights in each as well as in the overall – the maximum weight of both combined. Weightlifting - Summer Olympic Sport Weightlifting Weightlifting has ancient origins. It featured at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. A long history As a means to measure strength and power, weightlifting was practised both by ancient Egyptian and Greek societies. It developed as an international sport primarily in the 19th century and is one of the few sports to have featured at the 1896 Athens Games. Power struggle At the beginning of the century, Austria, Germany and France were the most successful nations. However in the 1950s, the Soviet Union’s weightlifters rose to prominence and stayed there until the 1990s when China, Turkey, Greece and Iran catapulted to the lead. In the women’s field, China has been dominant since the very beginning.

Olympic history Although men’s weightlifting has always been on the programme of the Olympic Games - except for at the 1900, 1908 and 1912 editions – women started to participate only at the 2000 Games in Sydney. The Olympic weightlifting programme has evolved greatly over time. Today, weightlifters compete in snatch and clean and jerk, and are placed according to their total combined result. From the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, men have competed in eight weight categories and women in seven. This total of 15 events remains unchanged. Great champions Turkey’s and Halil Mutlu have each won three gold medals, like Greece’s Pyrros Dimas and Kakhi Kakhiasvilis. Hungarian weightlifter Imre Földi and Germany’s Ronnie Weller and Ingo Steinhöfel hold a special record: they participated in the Olympic Games five times. In women’s weightlifting, China’s Chen Yanqing and Liu Chunhong have both won two gold medals. Weightlifting has been present at 23 editions of the Games, and has placed on the podium champions from 32 different National Olympic Committees (NOCs).

Question: Which sport gives competitors three goes at the Snatch ?
Answer: Weightlifting